Peach Tree Named &#39;A-858P&#39;

ABSTRACT

Description and specification of a new and distinct cultivar of peach tree named ‘A-858P’ which originated from a hand-pollinated cross of ‘White Diamond’ (female, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,464) x A-609P (male, non-patented, unreleased genotype) is provided. This new peach tree can be distinguished by its mid-early ripening, peen-tao (flat) shape, medium fruit size, semi-freestone flesh adherence, attractive skin, good flavor, and high tree health suitable for home garden use.

Latin name: Prunus perska.

Varietal denomination: ‘A-858P’.

BACKGROUND

A new cultivar of peach tree called ‘A-858P’ is described herein. Thenew cultivar originated from a hand-pollinated cross of ‘White Diamond’(female, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,464) and A-609P (male, non-patented,unreleased genotype) made in 2008. The seeds resulting from thiscontrolled hybridization were germinated and grown in a greenhouseduring the winter of 2008-2009 and were planted in an orchard nearClarksville, Ark. The seedlings fruited in the summer of 2012 and onewas selected for its mid-early ripening, peen-tao (flat) shape, mediumfruit size, semi-freestone flesh adherence, attractive skin, goodflavor, and high tree health suitable for home garden use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct cultivar of peach tree originated from ahand-pollinated cross of ‘White Diamond’ (female, U.S. Plant Pat. No.22,464) x A-609P (male, non-patented, unreleased genotype) made in 2008near Clarksville, Ark.

The seeds resulting from this controlled hybridization were germinatedin a greenhouse during the winter of 2008-2009. Resulting seedlings wereplanted in the spring of 2009 in an orchard near Clarksville, Ark. Theseedlings fruited in the summer of 2012 and one seedling, designatedArkansas (A) 858P, and was selected for its medium fruit size, uniquefruit shape, semi-freestone flesh adherence, attractive skin, goodflavor, and high tree health. During 2009, the original plant selectionwas propagated asexually, at the above-mentioned location, by buddingonto standard peach rootstock variety Guardian® BY520-9 (not patented)and a test plot of two plants was established.

The new variety has been asexually multiplied since 2009 at thislocation by budding onto Guardian® BY520-9 peach rootstock, and noincompatibility with peach rootstocks has occurred following budding.During all asexual multiplication, the characteristics of the originalplant have been maintained and no aberrant phenotypes has appeared.

The new cultivar has been named the ‘A-858P’ cultivar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new varietyin color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a colorillustration of this character.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show photographs of mature fruit on a tree of‘A-858P’.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of whole, longitudinally cut, and latitudinallycut fruit of ‘A-858P’ at maturity.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of mature ‘A-858P’ leaves, showing the adaxial(left) and abaxial (right) surfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR ‘A-858P’

Plants and fruit of this new cultivar differ phenotypically from itsparents. The new cultivar differs from parent ‘White Diamond’ in that itis peen-tao (flat-shaped) with yellow, melting flesh. In contrast,‘White Diamond’, is a late ripening, round, melting flesh type, low acidpeach. The new cultivar also differs from its male parent, A-609P, asthis parent is very early ripening and has white flesh and high acidflavor. The new cultivar has medium fruit (ave. 120 g) with attractiveskin, semi-freestone flesh adherence, sweet, good flavor, and high treehealth. Some distal-end splitting of fruits was observed in evaluations.Both the parents and the new cultivar are the genus and species Prunuspersica.

Plants of the new cultivar are vigorous and moderately productive, andtrees are standard in size, well-branched, and symmetrical with anupright to semi-spreading growth habit, comparable to other peach trees(Prunus persica). Trees express a moderate level of resistance to bothfoliar and fruit infection of bacterial spot [Xanthomonas campestris pv.pruni (Smith) Dye], but in some years does not show complete immunity tothis disease. Chilling requirement to break bud dormancy is estimated tobe 800 hours below 45° F. (7° C.).

Fruit of ‘A-858P’ ripens mid-early season, averaging 27 June, with‘Stark® Saturn’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,123), ‘TangOs®’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 18,997), and ‘TangOs® II’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,383). Fruit arepeen-tao or flat-shaped, similar to ‘Stark® Saturn’, ‘TangOs®’, and‘TangOs® II’. Fruits of ‘A-858P’ are attractive with an average 90% redblush in contrast to ‘TangOs®’ and ‘TangOs® II’ which completely lackblush and are cream to green in color when fully ripe. Flesh of ‘A-858P’is melting similar to ‘TangOs® II’, and in contrast with the flesh of‘TangOs®’, which has non-melting flesh. The flesh color of ‘A-858P’ isyellow-orange, unlike ‘TangOs®’, and ‘TangOs® II’ which have whiteflesh. Flesh adherence of ‘A-858P’ varies from semi-cling to freestonewhen fully ripe, in contrast with ‘TangOs®’ and ‘TangOs® II’ which areboth clingstone. Fruit soluble solids content of ‘A-858P’ averaged15.9%, sweeter than ‘Stark® Saturn’ which averages 13.3%. Treesindicated reliable fruiting and crop load was usually good.

The following is a detailed description of the botanical and pomologicalcharacteristics of the subject peach plant. Color data are presented inRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart designations (1986 2^(nd)edition). Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics aregiven, it is to be understood that such characteristics areapproximations of averages set forth as accurately as achievable.

Plants used for botanical data were four years old and grown on a finesandy loam soil with trickle irrigation near Clarksville, Ark. Treeswere trained to an open-center system and dormant pruned annually.Fruits on all trees were thinned to approximately 6-8 inches betweenfruits 4-5 weeks after full bloom. The trees were fertilized nearbudbreak (late March on average) with complete or nitrogen fertilizer.Weeds were controlled with pre- and postemergence herbicides. Routinecommercial fungicide and insecticide applications were applied to thetrees, but no bactericides were applied. The descriptions reportedherein are from specimens grown near Clarksville, Ark.

-   Plant:    -   -   Size.—Mature trees (four years of age) average 3.0 to 3.5 m            in height and 4.0 to 5.0 m in spread or width, and a            semi-upright growth habit, as grown on Guardian® BY520-9            rootstock using an open center training system.        -   Growth.—Moderate vigor with good canopy development.        -   Productivity.—Moderately productive in observations but            yield data not collected on trees. Tree is annual bearing;            fruit is produced on long shoots.        -   Cold hardiness.—Wood and dormant buds hardy to 2° F. (−17°            C.). This was the coldest temperature that the trees were            exposed to at the test site, but hardiness may exceed this            temperature.        -   Disease resistance.—Leaves and fruit are resistant but not            immune to bacterial spot under growing conditions where            bacterial spot infection is often very severe on susceptible            genotypes. No bactericides were used in the development or            evaluation of the instant cultivar. A commercial fungicide            program was utilized in orchards used in the development and            evaluation of the instant cultivar, thus no resistance to            brown rot (Monilinia fructicola (G. Winter) Honey) or scab            (Fusicladium carpophilum (Thum.) Oudem), the other common            diseases at Clarksville, Ark., was determined.        -   Insect resistance.—Insecticides were applied to orchards            used in the development of the new cultivar to control the            common insects at the location including oriental fruit moth            (Grapholita molesta (Busck)), plum curculio (Conotrachelus            nenuphar (Herbst)), stinkbug (Halyomorpha halys (Stal);            Euschistus servus (Say); Acrosternum hilare (Say); Nezara            viridula (Linnaeus); Thyanta spp.), tarnished plant bug            (Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois)), lesser peach tree            borer (Synathedon pictipes (Grote & Robinson)), and greater            peach tree borer (Synanthedon exitiosa (Say)). Therefore, no            insect resistance was determined in the testing of the new            cultivar.-   Foliage/shoots/branches:    -   -   Shoots.—Smooth. Dormant-season (one year-old) shoot            (branch): length 140.5 cm; diameter at base 0.6 cm; diameter            at midpoint 0.5 cm; diameter at terminal 0.3 cm.            Dormant-season shoot color: Greyed Purple Group (187B).            Color of apex: Greyed-Purple Group (187A) with bud scale            outlines that are Brown Group (200B).        -   Spur length.—1.63 cm.        -   Vegetative bud.—Length: 0.04 cm; width: 0.02 cm; shape of            apex: acute; color of apex: Greyed-White Group (156B);            position in relation to one year-old shoot: slightly held            out; size of vegetative support shelf: length: 0.05 cm;            width: 0.03 cm.        -   Leaves.—Simple, alternate, glabrous, lanceolate, petiolate,            and deciduous. Venation pinnate; base acute; terminal or            apex acuminate; margin serrated. Mature leaf size: length            11.9 cm; width midpoint 3.1 cm. Leaf serrations 5.6/cm.            Mature leaf color: abaxial— Green Group (137C); adaxial—            Green Group (137A). Young leaf color: abaxial— Yellow Green            Group (146C); adaxial— Yellow Green Group (144A); and            anthocyanin not present on abaxial or adaxial side of young            leaves on midrib or other location. Petiole length— mature            leaf: 1.1 cm. Petiole texture: smooth. Nectaries: reniform,            average of 2 per leaf, located at the base of leaf blade            nearest the distal portion of the petiole. Size of            nectaries: width: 0.09 cm; length: 0.06 cm. Mature leaf            petiole color: abaxial— Green Group (139D); adaxial— Green            Group (139D). Stipule length: 2.1 mm; width: 0.5 mm. Stipule            texture: smooth on both sides. Stipule color: abaxial—            Yellow Green Group (144B); adaxial— tip: Greyed Purple Group            (185A), base: Yellow Green Group (144B); shape in            cross-section: v-shaped; length of blade tip: 5.27 mm.        -   Buds.—Number of leaf buds per 15 cm: 6.4, evenly distributed            along the shoot. Number of flower buds per 15 cm from            terminal: 14. Mature shoot internode length: base 2.5 cm,            midpoint 2.5 cm, terminal 1.4 cm.-   Bark (of mature trunk of tree):    -   -   Color.—Outer bark color: Greyed-Green Group (198C).        -   Texture.—Rough.        -   Shoot and trunk lenticels.—Color: Greyed-Orange Group            (163B); density: 2 per cm2.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—11.3 cm (at 25 cm above ground level).-   Flowers: Bloom occurs prior to vegetative bud break; solitary to    occasional double individual flowers at a single node; perfect;    self-fertile.    -   -   Date of bloom.—First, Julian 74 (March 14); Full, Julian 79            (March 19).        -   Size.—Diameter fully open 3.1 cm.        -   Type.—Showy.        -   Flower.—Shape: stellate; number per shoot: 21; flowers per            stem: 1; depth 16.8 mm.        -   Petals.—Number of petals per flower: 5; length: 18.2 mm;            width: 15.9 mm; texture: smooth on both abaxial and adaxial            surfaces; shape: overall— obovate; apex: rounded; margin:            smooth-entire; base: cuneate. Flower arrangement of the            petals: touching to slightly overlapping. Minimal cupping of            the petals is observed in fully open blooms.        -   Color.—Abaxial center: Red Group (54B), abaxial tips: Red            Group (55D); adaxial center: Red Group (56A), tips: Red            Group (56D).        -   Pistil.—Length: 9.9 mm; color: Red Purple Group (69B).        -   Stamens.—Average 52 per flower with pollen present, fertile            and abundant. Average stamen length: 8.9 mm; stigma stands            just slightly above the stamens. Anthers are positioned            above the petal margins in an upright manner.        -   Pollen color.—Greyed Orange Group (163A).        -   Ovary.—Smooth; Color: Yellow Orange Group (19D).        -   Sepals.—5 per flower; shape: overall: ovate; apex: rounded;            base: truncate; texture: abaxial-low to moderate pubescence;            adaxial-low to no pubescence.-   Fruit:    -   -   Size.—Medium for peen-tao peach fruit, avg. 120 g; diameter            at stem end 6.0 cm, equator 7.2 cm, blossom end 6.3 cm;            length base to apex 3.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Peen-tao, saucer-shaped; symmetry: moderately            asymmetric; shape of fruit: base: depressed; apex:            depressed; mucron tip: absent.        -   Firmness.—Medium firm to soft.        -   Skin.—Texture: Pubescence present (peach); attractive;            ground color Yellow Orange Group (22B) with blush color Red            Group (46A). Skin distal-end splitting observed on some            fruits. Blush %: 90%, nearly solid coverage, slightly            mottled.        -   Flesh.—Color Orange Group (24A); semi-clingstone; melting            texture.        -   Pedicel length.—0.3 cm.        -   Pedicel diameter.—0.3 cm.        -   Ripe date.—27 June. Harvest period: about 10 days.        -   Tendency of pit to split.—Non-split.        -   Soluble solids.—15.9%; Sweetness: sweet.        -   Fruit juice.—pH 4.88.        -   Fruit juice titratable acidity.—0.21% expressed as malic            acid.        -   Storage performance.—This genotype was not evaluated for            storage potential or postharvest handling.        -   Eating quality.—Very good, with melting texture and good            sugar and acid balance.-   Pit/stone:    -   -   Size.—Length 1.3 cm; diameter (midpoint) 2.2 cm.        -   Shape.—Elongated oval with deep furrowing and pitting.        -   Color.—Greyed Orange Group (165A).-   Kernel:    -   -   Shape.—Oval.        -   Color.—Greyed Orange Group (165B).-   Uses: Fresh consumption; not evaluated for drying or other uses.    -   -   The cultivar.—The most distinctive features of the new            variety are its mid-early ripening, peen-tao (flat) shape,            medium fruit size, semi-freestone flesh adherence,            attractive skin, good flavor, and high tree health suitable            for home garden use.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of peach tree named ‘A-858P,’ asdescribed and illustrated herein.